“Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if anything is excellent or worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” Phil.4:8
What is the One Word that speaks to you in today’s verse?
What does happiness mean to you?
And why am I suspicious of being happy?
Maybe it’s because I’ve been in survival mode so long.
I’m realizing that when you are in survival mode, choosing joy, being the beloved and being happy falls pretty low on the priority list. are just not part of the picture.
For someone like me who has been following Jesus through my obedience for most of my life, being happy feels guilt-inducing. I might even be honest and confess that happiness was something I felt other people who lived other lives experienced everyday. But, not me.
It’s hard to type this next confession — but it’s been easier for me to serve God and love others, rather than let God love me. In ways my heart longs to be happy.
I’m sure it hurts God’s heart to read these words. Because I’m learning this isn’t how He meant it to be for me.
God whispers —
I love you still. I haven’t given up on you.
I love you forever.
God’s changing my way of living. Of believing.
And I believe His words of love are meant for you too.
Permission To Say Yes
As we’ve been daring to be God’s beloved today, I’ve been asking God, “What exactly does that mean?”
How do you practice being someone’s beloved?
Letting God love us sounds good, but how can we actually experience being God’s beloved in our actual lives — today?
As I’m continuing to do my soul work with Jesus — creating more spiritual whitespace to let Him in the most intimate parts of my heart, one word has emerged.
Permission.
Like letting someone you’re falling in love with stand close enough for an embrace.
Like letting someone who is falling in love with you slip his hand into yours.
Like letting that same someone into your world whispering our dreams, your sorrows and your story through phone calls that go deep into the night.
And then over time, allowing him to look softly into your eyes and draw close enough to kiss you.
We need to give ourselves permission to choose happiness, the way God intended: free from fear and condemnation.
Free to be His beloved.
Dwell
We need to give God permission to plant these beautiful moments of beauty, love, tenderness, and sweetness in our souls.
We need to give ourselves permission to DWELL — to make a home — in all that is beautiful, lovely, sweet, tender, kind, gentle, peaceful, joyful and restful.
We need to give ourselves permission to say yes.
I began to create a Happy Soul List: ideas to experience God’s goodness as the His beloved. For me. Today.
What would your Happy Soul List look like? What are the ideas you’ve put to the side- because you’ve put yourself to the side?
(i did a short hike early this week and brainstormed ideas for my Happy Soul List)
How Do I Treat Myself?
We are called to DWELL in God’s kingdom —
where the weak are made strong by God’s love.
where those who mourn and shed tears are valued and treasured.
where those who are imperfect are beautiful and perfect in God’s eyes.
where those who are poor in spirit are sweetly cared for and loved on.
But do I treat myself the way Jesus would treat me?
Do my choices for my well-being reflect someone who is well loved?
As I asked myself these questions, God quietly brought brought this verse to me:
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.”
Reflect. What Am I Meditating On?
I realize the meditation of my heart was actually quite opposite to the voice of love. There are a lot of critical words I speak to myself.
“Just get it done.”
“Why are you worried about this again?”
“Get it together! What is your problem?”
“You — happy? You’re being selfish.”
I realize the meditation of my heart doesn’t line up with someone who is loved by God.
Those words don’t come from Jesus. They come from others and even ourselves. We can’t eradicate these words, because we are human and imperfect people may not have loved us the way we needed.
But, we can choose whose words we listen to.
What words are on your heart? Whose words are those?
I want to listen to God’s words. Today.
Listen. God’s One Word
God wants us to make a home in all that is true, right, pure, lovely and good.
Listen to God’s One Word to you and me today —
Close your eyes now and think of me.
Think of all that is beautiful and good.
I know they make your soul happy. I planted them there. Just for you.
Those who would truly love you the way I do would never condemn you.
Go in peace. Be happy with me.
Be my beloved. Today.
Take The Challenge With Me: #Be Soul Happy
What makes your soul happy today? I got inspired to create a Happy Soul List to encourage myself to be God’s beloved each day & improve my well-being.
It takes courage to choose joy, doesn’t it? At least for me! But, I’m taking God’s dare to dwell on what makes my soul happy this month. To take notice and be more present as I enjoy them.
I started on Monday, sharing daily moments my soul was happy on Instagram and Facebook and asking questions for us to explore.
Come join me! I’d love some company. ☕ I hope it will inspire you to plant seeds of goodness and be soul happy in your today too!
Let’s see what happens. Brainstorm your Happy Soul List & share your moments using hashtag #besoulhappy . Link up your Ideas to Be Soul Happy on our #OneWordCoffee Link Up below today or in the coming week.
“Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if anything is excellent or worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” Phil.4:8
~~~~~
What does happiness mean to you?
What can you do to prioritize your well-being and “dwell” in what is good for your soul — today?
What One Word God is speaking to you today?
Pull a chair. Click to comment. Let’s enjoy #OneWordCoffee together. I can’t wait to hear what you have to share!
* Who can you share today’s encouragement with?
For more encouragement, get a copy of Finding Spiritual Whitespace: Awakening Your Soul to Rest.
#OneWordCoffee Link Up
Soul Writing With Jesus — Together
This new #OneWordCoffee Wednesday series inspires us to create space in a simple way, to be present, hear God’s whispers, to be refreshed & renewed. ?
Every Wednesday, I’ll invite you to stop, pause, & reflect on a One Word prompt.
Then, you share how One Word speaks to you: 1. simply post a comment (or) 2. write a blog post, link up on Wednesdays and visit the post before yours to comment and encourage. Please Place the #OneWordCoffee badge in your post(click here) & link back (or) 3. tag photos #OneWordCoffee on Facebook or Instagram inspired by your one word.
#OneWordCoffee ☕️ A simple invitation to create a new rhythm for your soul. To stop and hear God’s whispers. And swap some stories together.
Today’s 2/3/16 #OneWordCoffee Prompt: happy. Create & brainstorm ideas for your “My Happy Soul List”. feel free to let your One Word for 2016 inspire you.
** Lent Begins Next Week! ** Special #OneWordCoffee Prompt Next Week 2/10/16 for Lent: Remember
email subscribers: click here to add your link.
Loading InLinkz ...photo credit: kelly ishmael
32 Comments
[…] Linking up with: Kelly Balarie& Jennifer Dukes Lee & Bonnie Gray […]
Oh, I so relate to these mediations: “Just get it done. Why are you worried about this again? Get it together! What is your problem?” I am beginning to realize that what I allow myself to meditate on and how I talk to myself greatly affects my relationship with the Father. And I think, to find the soul happy, I have to let go of all the old, dead, broken things I keep holding onto. I am trying to open my heart up each day to receive (my One Word) His truth. I’m so thankful for His grace and new mercies each morning. If I can just learn to accept His permission to receive them with each new dawn!
i think you’re reflections and insights are so beautiful, jordan… you listen and now, it sounds like God wants you to put that listening into action — “receive” (your One Word). continue to be encouraged. this is a journey, like a seed being planted – it grows a little each day .. it’s not a pass/fail test… and look, you’ve got kindreds like me alongside this journey. xo
[…] This post is part of the #OneWordCoffee linkup at thebonniegray.com. […]
You speak my heart, Bonnie. It’s so hard for me to let God love me, too. “We need to give ourselves permission to choose happiness, the way God intended: free from fear and condemnation.” So true. I’m still a work-in-progress… Somehow I feel like I don’t deserve happiness. It is hard to break out of that survival mode, isn’t it? I love the God’s One Word you share, those whispers to His beloved. They soothe my soul. That belongs on my Happy Soul list. 🙂
aw.. you’re so sweet! I’m so happy to know I’m on someone’s Happy Soul List! 🙂 I had to do some therapy work to uncover memories of where I first felt I didn’t deserve happiness… and it’s been very powerful to help give myself permission. Because that little girl in me never got permission. Now, I hear Jesus’ whispers to take action for that little girl in me. Being God’s beloved is definitely a dare – going against the grain of what we may have been conditioned to believe. thanks for sharing #OneWordCoffe with your time and words together today. you make this place real.
I love “dwell” because all my life I’ve been labeled an over-thinker, a dweller etc. A certain person(s) would say these words to me when I would pour my heart out to them, they were probably thinking they were helping me figure out my root issue. It didn’t lol. But I am glad to know there is a positive “dwell!” This verse is awesome and I may blow it up and put it in my living room!! Also, the words you write I so easily resonate with. It was like I typed them. It is actually a very recent realization that I battle with guilt when I start to feel happy things happening or even my awkward avoidance of happy planning. I tend to think of people who are less fortunate because I have such a heart for missions, the broken-hearted world-wide, that it is just harder for me to do certain things that come easily for others. I need to learn to be a Beloved too, and not just tell others they are. Thanks, Bonnie 🙂
hey meghan, hello from one over-thinker to another… i’m hoping to everyday move a little more into the dwell of what is lovely. i felt God was saying to me – turn that super analytical, thinking power and focus it on my goodness! 🙂 the “whatever is” really is drawing me. so, I take a few steps towards over htinking — and I turn and trying to find somehting beautiful, happy my super analytical mind can focus on – let’s turn our super powers onto God’s goodness, beauty, — what makes us happy! you have a missional heart for others, which won’t change, friend — but God wants to LOVE ON YOU. YOU – your heart — is the God’s mission! Just imagine the heart you have to see others happy — and imagine how much God’s smile would light up to see you happy and lit up! 🙂 Be his beloved and I am very sure, tha tmissional heart of you is going to shine even brighter with JOY. xo thanks for sharing #OneWordCoffe with your time and words together today. you make this place real.
The “Whatever Is!” is really cool too,….God is good and I am so uplifted by your (and other beloveds!) words. I still can’t believe how blessed I am to have found such a great place, a community such as this. Blown away by how much He is moving on the Earth!
I too chose dwell. To give God permission to plant beautiful moments of beauty, love, tenderness and sweetness in my soul. Reading, those words bring such comfort.
I am giving myself permission to enjoy more of my surroundings, to breathe in the goodness of God and all he has for me. To dwell in the moment. To dwell in His presence through out the day. To truly understand that I am loved. Thank you Bonnie, for speaking the words so many of us need to hear.
hi elaine, it’s so encouraging to hear we are on the journey to learn to give ourselves the permission God so longs to have us receive. i’m excited to hear your words and the whispers your heart is resonating and responding to. i’m excited for you, friend! what moments of beauty, love, and tenderness await you… ! thanks for sharing #OneWordCoffe with your time and words together today. you make this place real.
I’m broken right now. i’m in a dark place where my life has stopped, hanging out in limbo, wondering which way to go. so I ordered a copy of your book and since Ive been reading it, very slowly, and having coffee with you every week I’m beginning to understand why I am in this place. I too have been on survival mode for so long that I lost my self along the way. Oh how my soul needs to be awakened. I need to hear God’s voice and to experience His love anew. Please pray for me. I’m so lost right now. I’ve lost my home, my job, and I am living with my mom whose critical voice I hear above Gods. Thankyou Bonnie for being real.
dear Kimberly, I have been right where you are … for a long journey that I made, as I had to travel back with Jesus into those dark places, so my heart can be healed, as it awakened to His whispers and His tears for me and with me. I know the pain is unbearable as you are facing the loss of all you listed: home, job — and living with a mom who is critical. I’m so glad you picked up a copy of the book, “Finding Spiritual Whitespace”. I poured my whole soul and heart into every word that I wrote, in hopes it can speak encouragement and hope – and I hope it inspires you to hear and know YOU ARE CHERISHED and BELOVED by God – even though your story right now may not look like it matches it. I would have never made it out with the help of others who can help walk with me to find a therapist and in my case, I had to stop communication with my mother because it was toxic for me and without that space apart from her, I could not find my own way. You don’t need to do this alone and we need real people to help us. I encourage you to reach out to a pastor or a mentor who is a safe person (not a legalistic person or someone who will judge you or put expectations on you and make you feel guilty or bad) – someone who can walk alongside you and be your advocate. I read a book “Healing Is a Choice” by Stephen Arteburn that really inspired me to make the hardest choices I ever made in my life. It changed my life — which put my on the journey that enabled me to make changes and that is how I ended up uncovering the journey to heal that you read about in “Fining Spiritual Whitespace”. I highly encourage you to get “Healing is a Choice” and read this book. Right now. 🙂
The word that comes to me in my current season is “contentment”. Finding God in all that is around me and to be in me thru this time. To be blessed with the knowing that He has chosen me to be His Beloved! Wow that is awesome and I need to mediate on all that means to me! To be able to sit in silence and know He is listening to me and only me! To pour my heart out and know He is on the throne already dispatching angels to start work on my behalf that is a caring,loving, honorable God. I am honored to be His beloved today.
Dear Jesus, thank you for whispering this word “Beloved” in to Miriam’s heart. may this word “Beloved” continue to grow like a seed you’ve planted in her heart.. echoing more each day. so she hears it echoing in her quiet moments and it becomes her name like the sky is blue and the sun rises each day.
“Lovely” is the word that speaks to me the loudest this morning. I want to slow down and smell and see the “roses” that God made so beautifully for us in this world to enjoy. I’m looking forward to a Centering Prayer retreat this weekend to have some time alone with God to do just that! Thanks for your prayers for my recovery, Bonnie. This has been a better week! Blessings to you, friend, for checking in on me. You’re special.
hi Lisa! that is SO cool you’re going to a Centering Prayer retreat this weekend! Centering Prayer is what I practice and I call it #OneWordCoffee – that’s what inspired me to share this practice here with us – our community. Now, I’m so excited we are kindreds in this way too! We are growing together with Jesus guiding us through out the years. 🙂 Thank you, Jesus for taking care of Lisa and healing her in recovery — now she is going to enjoy a special time with you. Prepare a special epxerience just for her this weekend. And may your Whispers be more intimate than ever before… in Jesus name, Amen.
Beautiful. Being happy is about choosing to be satisfied with CHRIST. Content with who I am in Him! He is my everything!
sweet beth, i love how your words sound like a song your heart has learned to sing — and how you share your words of wisdom with us. thanks for sharing #OneWordCoffe with your time and words together today. you make this place real.
My one word today is PEACE. Living in the everlasting peace of God. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on today’s blog. God bless you and the ones you love!
hi pam, that is such a beautiful word you are holding on our heart today, pamela. thanks for sharing #OneWordCoffe with your time and words together today. you make this place real.
These meditations were so lovely, so rich. Thanks for this sharing. I was very impacted by how and whether or not the words I am speaking to myself reflect His love for me. I so appreciate this post. Being happy was not something I sought growing up as a Christian. I think I was more focused on obedience and duty. Of course, that is inconsistent with scripture!! Blessings on what you shared here!
Pam
it makes me happy to know that we can be brought close by sharing a common journey,Pam, as we hear the tender whispers of God, as we are. nothing can diminish his voice… He wants to free us to hear and learn to dare and follow His voice of Love. it’s a gift to find a kindred who understands.. thanks for sharing #OneWordCoffe with your time and words together today.
Bonnie,
I am so glad to have found your site through some of my other linkup blogger buddies!!! Your site is beautiful, and so are your words. “I realize the meditation of my heart doesn’t line up with someone who is loved by God.” This has been a huge struggle for me lately…so much so that I decided to give up guilt for Lent. God showed me that my self pity was actually sin..and that my self doubt and criticism was no way to talk to a child of God. #relate.
Happy Thursday!!!
Megs
Hi Megs, i love your nickname by the way. 🙂 i love what you’re giving up for Lent! we’re fellow kindreds — we need each other for this journey. we are not alone. I’m so glad words brought you here. if you’re feeling inspired, join us next week for our #OneWordCoffee blog link up- I’m doing a weekly prompt for Lent in the coming 8 weeks. Next week’s prompt is “remember”.
So, the happiness theme initially brought an old Sunday school chorus to mind, “happiness is to know my Savior…” I smiled at first as my heart agreed but then tears pricked my eyes and my throat tightened as the remaining lines, “living a life within His favor, having a change in my behavior…” Reminded me of all the years that became doing all the right things so He would love me, rather than being favored by him, beloved and thus transformed behavior and all. “Real joy IS mine no matter…” As I walk through some grief and heartache, longing for nurture, parenting, comfort and feel a lack sorely from family, parents especially, the invitation in your writing from Him to us, “Those who would truly love you the way I do would never condemn you…go in peace…” seems to release me from obligation. Prayerfully trusting He will satIsfy my heart’s desires especially as they are linked to what I would have wanted for my children.
esther, it’s SO beautiful of you to share this very deep and rich experience with Jesus — as he tenderly brought the song to play in your heart — and as you were brought back to the tender places in your heart — that Jesus wants to touch today in you.with each line, He is holding your hand and letting you know He understands it all. I feel so priviledged to hear such an intimate prayer as you are present with God today in this moment and you share your whispers. Thank you for being a gift to us. xo
You are so right, Bonnie: “God wants us to make a home in all that is true, right, pure, lovely and good.” Slowly I am learning to be more watchful and mindful of the myriad of gifts God gives me each day–blessings that make me happy — from that first sip of coffee (my favorite beverage!) in the morning to that first moment of sweet rest on the pillow at night. I’m finding that the focus on positive things is not only augmenting my contentment, but also my relationship with God, as well as increasing my faith and strength of spirit. Praise Him for his loving ways!
yes, nancy… keep following those whispers to be soul happy, bringing God closer to you heart today.
[…] post is linked up to Bonnie Gray’s #onewordcoffee . The prompt is Happy. Poetry makes me happy. Happy reading, […]
Hi Bonnie! I just listened to your podcast with Arlene Pelicane and absolutely loved it! I also suffered trauma as a child, different than yours but going through the panic attacks and anxiety now as I am seeing a counselor. I love the way you made me realize that these are not because I am lacking faith but because I’m in a safe spot now for God to go through this with me.
I loved your idea of choose joy and choose peace each week. I was wondering if you could give me a few examples of what your kids have come up with so I can implement this correctly in my home?
Thank you Alyson, for taking time to share how the podcast has encouraged you!! My heart is filled to be inspired to keep sharing encouragement thorugh the podcast, as I pour my heart and soul in each episode!